Consumer Rights For Those With A Disability

Consumer Rights

If you have a disability, it's important that you select the goods and services that you need to help you meet your daily needs. Unfortunately there are numerous people and businesses that take advantage of those with a disability. If you have issues with products or services, you may be able to sort them out with help from a free attorney.

• Know Your Rights
• Buy the Correct Items
• Signing Contracts
• If Issues Occur

Know Your Rights

When you buy goods and services, you have the right to:

- Ask for what you want
- Ask for a better price
- Take your time to decide
- Be treated respectfully
- Obtain correct information about the purchase
- Get a repair or replacement if something breaks, or receive a refund
- Have a service fixed if it's performed incorrectly

Buy the Right Items

Spend time researching before you make a purchase to be sure that the service or item meets your needs completely. If you'll be using the item for quite some time, or if it is worth a great deal of money, this becomes more important.

Smart Tip:
If you are asked to purchase an extended warranty, be sure that you understand everything it covers before you buy it.

 
Tips for Shopping
Examine the Features - Be sure that each item has the features you may need to accommodate your disability.
Shop Around - Take the time to compare prices and features so that you obtain the one that has the best options for you. Ask for quotes to compare prices. If you'll be buying an expensive piece of equipment, be sure to take into account what it will cost to maintain it, as well.
You can decline - Often, salespeople can be persuasive, but you can say no if you aren't ready to buy an item. If you're feeling pressured, you have the option to tell the salesperson that you don't want to buy something or aren't certain.
Take the time to ask questions - If something about the purchase doesn't make sense to you or seems too good to be true, be sure to ask for more details. If it still seems off, read a few extra reviews or ask for a second opinion.
Protect Your Privacy - Don't give away your personal information unless you know why the person wants it and how it will be used. Examine privacy policies carefully.

Signing Contracts

When you sign a contract, you're agreeing to a specific arrangement for payments and goods or services. It's a legal document, so it's important that you understand your obligations.

Pay careful attention to what the document says about:

- What the business will do
- What you will do
- The time period of the contract
- When you'll make payments
- If you can break the contract and how

If the terms of the contract aren't clear, seek out help from a trusted advisor. You may also want to seek out legal advice.

If Issues Occur

If a problem develops with a service or product that you've spent money on, you can ask for the issue to be fixed.

If you need help, consider reaching out to a local charity that assists the elderly or to your local consumer protection group.

Part of being an intelligent shopper is being aware of your rights. Be sure that you obtain what you're entitled to and that you reach out to the supplier if something isn't as expected or promised.